‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Abdul Qari said,
“I went out in the company of ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab one night in Ramadan to the mosque and found the people praying in different groups. A man praying alone or a man praying with a little group behind him. So, ‘Umar said, ‘In my opinion I would better collect these (people) under the leadership of one Qari (Reciter) (i.e. let them pray in congregation!)’. So, he made up his mind to congregate them behind Ubai bin Ka’b…(Bukhari)
Enough of this “two valid opinions” 8 or 20. When ALL the Imams of fiqh say it is 20, it is 20. Who has another valid opinion? It isn’t a valid opinion, it’s just bad fiqh.
According to some scholars, constantly missing an established Sunnah (like taraweeh) without excuse is SINFUL.
Would you miss the sunnah after Maghrib or Isha? No, because Sunnah is what brings our Deen to life. Taraweeh is just as important.
Imams and community leaders are OBLIGED to guide their congregation to the Sunnah. Those who are praying 8 and not encouraging their congregation to go home and pray the rest or are not making clear to them that the established sunnah is 20 – they are betraying their position which is to advise the Muslims to the Sunnah.
On the authority of Tamim Al-Dari (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The religion is naseehah (sincerity).” We said, “To whom?” He (peace be upon him) said, “To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.” (Muslim)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The religion is naseehah (sincerity).” We said, “To whom?” He (peace be upon him) said, “To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.”The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The religion is naseehah (sincerity).” We said, “To whom?” He (peace be upon him) said, “To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.”
